Tag Archive for 'indie pop'

Wanna Be Sedated?

Published by Kate B on November 13, 2009 in Artist News. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .
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Killing You Softly: Aviette

Sometimes you want to be rocked and rolled all night, and some times you just want to lie there and be lulled into oblivion. For the latter, check out the etherizing songs of Minneapolis-based indie pop band Aviette. The trio, led by singer/guitarist Holly Muñoz, doesn’t often break from formula – thankfully it’s not a bad one. Expect high register guitars that yawn and reverberate, syncopated drums that sound just a touch overproduced and Muñoz’s sweet, gossamer voice, which spins around the arrangements like cotton candy. Though the synths may crunch and the guitars may rear up, for the most part the mood is even-keeled. Aviette’s songs run on the short side, but don’t fret. When the ether wears off after three minutes, there’s another dose on the way.

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Liner Notes: Crosstide – “(I Feel) Like a Polar Bear”

Published by Sam C. on November 12, 2009 in Artist News. 1 Comment Tags: , , , .

This week on “Liner Notes,” we invited Portland’s Crosstide to tell us more about their track “(I Feel) Like a Polar Bear.” The upbeat track warmed over the hearts of OurStage’s Indie Pop faithful garnering a lot of attention and a place in the Top 10 this past September. Band frontman Bret Vogel took the time to fill us in about the tune.
Continue reading ‘Liner Notes: Crosstide – “(I Feel) Like a Polar Bear”’

YOU BE THE JUDGE: LISA GENEE SHARES HER FAN PICKS

Published by Rainy on July 23, 2009 in Editorial. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , .

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It’s time again for You Be The Judge: Fan Picks! This time we asked Folk artist and big OurStage fan Lisa Genee to share three of her current favorite tracks on the site with us. Read on for a little bit about Lisa and the songs she chose!

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Stats: 7 Judging Excellence awards and 1 Predictor award as a fan, 3 Top Ten finishes as an Artist.

Bio: [From Lisa's Fanclub page]: “Newly arrived from the East Coast, this petite spitfire has turned many a head in the past few months with her seductive tunes and songs that elicit a barrage of imagery replete with tales of yearning and love. Surprising for one who is so young and bears an aura of innocence but posseses an undeniably devilish grin on stage. Watch this savvy girl, Denver!” ~Christian Blochinger / Colorado Music Buzz

Black Tables by Other Lives for Indie Pop

“This song is drenched in layers of haunting strings, but the simple, raw quality of Jesse Tabish’s vocals keep it grounded. The song is ethereal and entrancing; I found it refreshing when the chorus appears towards the end of the song.”

[Other Lives won OurStage's Alphabet Arm design prize back in May!]

Six by Melissa Yearsley for Female Singer-Songwriter

“Full of visual lyrics, “Six” immediately draws you into a snapshot of Alaska, and an intimate moment of the author’s own life: “It’s cold in the evening when I crawl into bed, except for the back of my neck where you buried your head”. Yearsley’s writing style isn’t fluffy or overdone, it is comforting, wise and full of the kinds of emotion many of us have difficulty putting into words. Melissa does it beautifully.”

I Love You, Richard by Richard Saunders for MTV VMA Best Breakout – Boston

“This song is saucy, blatant, unusual and all together brilliant. At only 18 years of age, Richard Saunders has a knock-out voice that is skilled, refined, and soulful. With clear production, strong drums, and killer background vocals, this song should be at the top.”

Thanks, Lisa! Stay tuned, we’ll see you next time…

DEATH BY POP? OH JA!

Published by Kate B on July 6, 2009 in Artist Feature and Pop. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

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The headline on Shotgun Cracker’s Myspace page reads, “Vi slåss för kärlek!” Translation: “We fight for love!” If that’s the case, then their weaponry includes (but is not limited to): guitars, drums, keyboards, whistles, handclaps and cowbells. The Swedish band’s hyperkinetic indie pop is loud, exuberant, percussive, and most importantly, hook-y as hell. One look at the album cover for their recent release, Visual Randomization, sums it all up: An explosion of color and chaos with quirky personalities popping out here and there combine to form some compelling art. Shotgun Crackers unleash a brazen sonic attack, but it’s one you’ll happily surrender to.

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DOWNLOAD OF THE WEEK: ANCHORS

Published by Sam C. on June 22, 2009 in Download of the Week. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .


Unsigned Georgian indie rockers Anchors are pumping out the kind of catchy, piano-centric pop music that would lift the spirits of former Ben Folds Five fans. The band formed in 2006 under multi-instrumentalist member Seth Hecox’s personal mission to make, “music that should be made, but isn’t being made by many other acts today.” The group as a whole is heavy into making well crafted pop with multiple part harmony vocals. This week’s featured Download of the Week is an Anchors’ tune, “The Legendary Matt.” It’s the kind of song that instantly has your feet tapping, your hands clapping and your heads bopping from start to finish. I dare you to try to keep this track from getting stuck in your head all day. In fact, I double dog dare you. Currently, the band is gearing up for a tour starting July 1st with dates scheduled in Illinois, Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama and Florida. If you dig “The Legendary Matt,” be sure to vote for it in the Indie Rock channel this month.